RAINBOW MEDIA AND CABLE POSITIVE JOIN TOGETHER FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL CABLE POSITIVE POP AWARDS

Nominations Announced Today Recognizing Outstanding HIV/AIDS Related Programming on Cable Television

Winners Announced on Monday, June 5th at the IFC Center

NEW YORK, NY - May 8, 2006

Cable Positive, a national non-profit organization whose mission is to utilize cable’s resources in the fight against AIDS, and Rainbow Media Holdings, are joining together to co-host the 5th Annual Cable Positive Positively Outstanding Programming (POP) Awards, on Monday, June 5th at the IFC Center at 323 Sixth Avenue. That evening winners will be announced, honoring outstanding programming related to HIV/AIDS on cable television. The event will begin at 6 PM with a pre-cocktail reception followed by the complete program at 7 PM. Tickets are $250 each and can currently be purchased by contacting Cable Positive at 212.459.1504 or michelle@cablepositive.org.

“Cable Positive is dedicated to encouraging and recognizing powerful and informative HIV/AIDS-related cable television as a means of empowering people and eliminating stigma in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Steve Villano, President and CEO of Cable Positive. “We are fortunate to have Rainbow Media’s support as we continue this annual event to raise awareness for this epidemic.”

“The POP Awards demonstrate the important role cable television is playing in promoting HIV prevention, raising AIDS awareness and reducing stigma and fear surrounding the disease,” said Josh Sapan, President and CEO of Rainbow Media. “We are always looking for pro-social causes to help educate viewers through the powerful medium of TV.”

Each entry will be judged by a blue ribbon panel of media, television, cable and sexual health writers and editors for the following criteria: educates the audience about HIV/AIDS; raises HIV/AIDS awareness; clearly presents HIV/AIDS message to the viewing audience; and maintains high production values that help bring the HIV/AIDS content to life. Original programming had to have aired from January 1 – December 31, 2005 to be eligible for consideration. 

The following nominations were announced today:

Biographical Program

• Biography: Elton John, A&E
• Diary of Angelina Jolie & Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, MTV

Documentary

• On The Frontlines of AIDS, Discovery Times Channel
• Shouting Silent, Showtime

News Coverage

• CBS News on LOGO: AIDS, LOGO
• Tracking the Monster Ashley Judd and India.Aire Confront AIDS in Africa, VH1

Newsmagazine

• Jeff Johnson Chronicles, BET
• Reality Matters; Teen Sexuality, Discovery
• think Again: Sex Myths Revealed, MTV

Original Film/Movie

• Multitude of Mercies, BET

Original Series

• Noah’s Arc, Logo

PSAs

• Ed and Cynthia, VIACOM with Kaiser Family Foundation
• Listen and Save Lives, VH1
• Oliver and Julia, MTV
• Patrick and Omar, MTV
• The Human Body, VH1

PSA Campaign

• Ask Your Doctor, MTV
• Condom Talk, BET
• Its About, BET
• Spread The Know, VIACOM with Kaiser Family Foundation
• The Know is Spreading, VIACOM with Kaiser Family Foundation

Special Programming

• Gideon Get Tested, Gideon Gets Results, MTV
• Open Mic: My Thing, BET

Community Partnership

• Get Tested 1&2, Red Ribbon, Dubuque Regional AIDS Coalition
• Are you Willing to Bet Your Life On It?, AIDS Resource Center, Ohio
• Four A’s, Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association

POP Network of the Year

• BET
• LOGO
• MTV
• VH1

Nominations by Network

• MTV – 7
• BET – 6
• VH1 – 4
• LOGO – 3
• VIACOM – 3
• A&E – 1
• Discovery – 1
• Discovery Times Channel –1

Additionally, a special POP Award will be given for the first time, for Outstanding Spanish Language Program.

ABOUT CABLE POSITIVE

Cable Positive is a national non-profit organization that was founded in February 1992 by three concerned cable executives with the mission of organizing cable’s resources in the fight against AIDS. Cable Positive will mobilize the talents, resources, access and influence of the cable and telecommunications industry to raise HIV/AIDS awareness; support HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care; and strive to end stigma by creating a more compassionate climate for people whose lives have been affected by HIV or AIDS. Cable Positive has grown to include supporters from every major cable network, multiple system operator, cable system, hardware manufacturer, trade association, media publication, and affiliated industry vendors and suppliers. Since 1992, Cable Positive has raised more than $14.9 million in the fight against AIDS. For more information about Cable Positive, call 212-459-1502 or log on to www.cablepositive.org

About Rainbow Media Holdings

A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation.  Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks.  Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.

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